US Women Defeat Canada
FRISCO, Texas – The U.S. Women’s National Team has dominated in the Lone Star State, and Sydney Leroux kept that streak intact as her goal led the USA to a 1-0 victory against Canada in front of a raucous crowd of 20,862 at Toyota Stadium.
It marked the largest crowd for a WNT home game in more than a decade, when 23,176 fans watched the USA beat Mexico 3-1 on Nov. 2, 2003, at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas.
The U.S. improved to 11-0-0 in Texas-based games, thanks to Leroux finding the net in the 78th minute to open 2014 in winning fashion with her 25th goal in 44 appearances. The USA also extended its home unbeaten streak to 78 games.
Next up, the USA will face Russia for a two-game set on Feb. 8 at FAU Stadium in Boca Raton, Fla., (3:30 p.m. ET kickoff), and on Feb. 12 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta (7:30 p.m. ET kickoff). Both games will be webcast live on ussoccer.com. Fans can also follow the action on Twitter @ussoccer_wnt.
With a shade more than 10 minutes remaining in regulation, Leroux got the game-winner and it started with defender Becky Sauerbrunn stepping into the attack on a dynamic run into the right side of the penalty area.
Sauerbrunn, who became the 46th player in U.S. WNT history to reach 50 career
appearances, began the buildup with a precise give-and-go sequence with second-half sub Christen Press. Sauerbrunn crossed the ball from the right of the six-yard box to Leroux who was stationed at the left post. She stretched to push the ball into the open net for the long-awaited one-goal lead.
The USA and Canada had some choppy moments in the first half as each side tried to find some fluidity in their first game of the year. Canada was plagued by three yellow cards in the opening 45 minutes, while the U.S. failed capitalize on several strong scoring chances.
Leroux was lurking around the Canadian goal from start to finish. Her 13th-minute shot was stopped by charging Canada goalkeeper Erin McLeod, who alertly came off her line to bravely stuff Leroux’s attempt. In the 22nd minute, Leroux’s header off an Ali Krieger cross bounced directly to McLeod for the save.
The Americans had the vast majority of possession, but found space in the attacking third to be at a premium as Canada played a smart tactical game mixed with numerous hard fouls. Canada was whistled for 16 fouls to the USA’s three. Still, the U.S was dangerous throughout the match, and Abby Wambach had back-to-back close-range shots in the 36th minute blocked by Canada defender Lauren Sesselmann.
Canada launched a few troubling attacks, one of which ended in a solid diving save from Solo in the waning moments, and the visitors actually had the best scoring chance for either team in the first half. Quick one-touch passing from Christine Sinclair and Josée Bélanger set up Diana Matheson on the right side in the 40th minute. Solo came out well to cut down the angle and forced the right-footed shot to roll wide-left of the goal.
Solo now has 68 career shutouts and is only three clean sheets behind all-time leader Briana Scurry (71 shutouts from 1994-2008).
